Low-Cost Options
Nova Vol. 3 #11 and Nova Vol. 4 #2
As I have mentioned in previous articles, I am a big fan of first meetup books, as long as the characters are significant to one another. Well, Sam and Richard definitely check that box. The relationship between the two is one of the highlights of later volumes of Nova and feels like a solid bet for MCU adaptation. I have listed two books here because there is some debate about when the two characters first actually met. in Nova Vol. 3 #11, Sam talks to the Xandarian Worldmind, which appears in the form of Richard and uses some of his mannerisms. Meanwhile, in Nova Vol. 4 #2, the two characters meet in the flesh for the first time and neither behaves as if they had met one another previously.
Between the two books, I think issue #2 is the more correct answer for when these characters first met. That being said, there is a fair argument for issue #11, which is currently listed in Key Collector as the first time the characters met. I am not sure which book the market will ultimately flock to the most, so I opted to include both.
Annihilation: Nova
Annihilation is an incredible event that is primed for MCU adaptation. Gabrielle Dell'Otto is one of the best cover artists out there and his books tend to do very well on the aftermarket.
Combine the two and you get this phenomenal series of covers that can still be found in back issue bins and regularly sell for well over cover.
Medium Cost Options
Marvel Point One
This book contains the first appearance of Sam Alexander and I cannot believe how cheap it still is. Sam is a phenomenal, diverse character with a wealth of connections to other MCU characters.
Maybe people do not know about the character or do not believe in him. Either way, their oversight is your gain. Snag this book now before the market realizes its true value.
Nova #1 Coloring Book Hip Hop Variant
I love this book for a few reasons. First off, Chance the Rapper is amazing and Coloring Book (the album that the cover homages) is one of the best rap albums of the last few years. Second, it has so many of the characteristics that can cause a book to not only increase in value, but hold its value as well:
- #1 Issue
- homage cover
- great looking cover
- hip hop variant
- MCU speculation heat
Plenty of books have achieved great value because they have just one of those traits, let alone all five. Buy with confidence.
High-Cost Options
Nova #1
No list of MCU investments for Nova would be complete without Nova #1. It contains the first appearance of Richard Rider and is the wellspring from which all of the Nova mythology sprung. Some books need a long explanation to explain their value - Nova #1 is not one of them.
FOOM Magazine #12
This book contains a preview of Richard Rider that predates the publication of Nova #1. It is not a first appearance, but it is a significant artifact in Nova's publication history and, as such, commands quite a premium. For those with money to burn, but not quite willing to pay Nova #1 prices, this book represents a decent alternative.
Out of Nowhere Pick
Infinity Gauntlet #1 1:25 Granov Incentive Variant
I put this book in the "Out of Nowhere" section because I do not really understand why this book regularly goes for double ratio. For those who do not know, this 2015 mini-series was created as a part of Secret Wars crossover and features the first appearance of a new Nova Corp member named Anwen Bakian.
Infinity Gauntlet vol. 2 is a phenomenal story, but I do not think it is necessarily great speculation. Anwen has made zero appearances since this series concluded and, while certainly interesting, was not a revelatory character. Regardless of what I think, however, there is definitely a market for this book, so make sure to check your collections and be on the lookout for the right time to sell.
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